First Episode Psychosis and Early Intervention in Action in Illinois Panel

First Episode Psychosis and Early Intervention in Action in Illinois Panel

The purpose of this panel is to describe the implementation of FEP and other early intervention programs in Illinois. It will start with background on how, with the help of SAMHSA, Illinois developed FIRST.IL, an early intervention Program for the treatment of persons experiencing their first psychotic break in September of 2016. This Coordinated Specialty Care Program is an evidence-based practice, that includes 5 specialists as a Treatment Team, namely: the Prescriber/Psychiatrist, the Team Leader who also provides Family Psychoeducation, the Individual Resiliency Training (IRT) Clinician, the Case Manager/Recovery Support Specialist, the Supported Employment/Supported Education staff person (also Known as Individual Placement & Support or IPS, another evidence-based practice). The goal is to assist individuals having a first psychotic episode in the recent past with multiple intervention services so as to allow for Recovery and continuation or resumption of work and or school. Family Psycho-education is a key engagement feature of FIRST.IL.

Two providers of FEP and other early intervention programs, Thresholds and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, will then discuss their programs which fall under FIRST.IL. Thresholds will cover MindStrong, an FEP program and services provided to a variety of young adults under its Emerge program. Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare will then explain its Hope First FEP program.

Presenter Bios:

Joe Croegaert has worked with DHS/DMH for the past 18 years. Joe earned an MSW from the U of I in Champaign-Urbana in 1975 and he has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the State of Illinois since 1996. Joe has worked in the Forensic Hospital setting at Elgin MHC and McFarland MHC, being the Clinical Director at McFarland MHC for the Forensic youth Program for several years. Joe has worked as a Contract Manager with Region 3 for the past 12 years and he has become an Expert working in the Evidence Based Practices of IPS (Individual Placement & Support Programs) – trained by Dartmouth as an IPS Fidelity Reviewer and FEP (First Episode Psychosis) being a FIRST.IL Trainer trained through the BeST Center of NEOMED in Ohio.

Marc A. Fagan, PsyD, is the Vice President of Clinical Operations, Youth & Young Adult Services, Thresholds. He has over 18 years of experience in developing, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive programs for vulnerable youth and young adults with mental health challenges, including those with complex trauma and child system involvement histories, emergent serious mental health conditions, and at high risk for psychosis. These nationally recognized multidisciplinary programs are featured in several books and journal articles. Locally and nationally, Marc advocates and partners with policy makers, researchers, and practitioners to develop effective practice and policies that support the transition to adulthood. Marc is a certified consultant and engaging trainer in key evidence-informed practices for young people, including the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Model. Marc conducts numerous webinars, workshops, and multi-day trainings with youth service providers, adult-serving providers, executives, leaders, schools, and other consortiums across the country.

Kaitlyn Whitebread is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Coordinator of Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare’s Hope FIRST Program. She is also an affiliate psychotherapist at Urban Balance. Kaitlyn formerly served as an Assertive Community Treatment Team Lead, also at Trilogy, and completed her clinical internship at The Wellness Center at Truman College. Kaitlyn received her Master’s in Counseling from The Family Institute at Northwestern University.